Motion-picture apparatus.



C. F. JENKNS. MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS. APPLIUATION FILED SBPT.21.19

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

wwwa/.sacco CHARLES FRANCIS JENKINS, OF WASHINGTN, DISTRICT 0F COLUMBIA.

MOTION-PICTURE APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

Application tiled September 21, 1911. Serial No. 650,629.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES FRANCIS JENKINS, citizen of the United States, residing `at IVashington, in the Districtof Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motion-Picture Ap paratus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

In motion picture apparatus such as provides for intermittent movement of a film strip it is important and has proved very difficult to arrest the film movement at precisely the right point after each Step.

The general object of this invention is to .provide for securing perfect accuracy when the film is accurately perforated and in good c'ondition. This result is secured by providing a slightly yieldable film engaging device and moving this against a rigid stop placed in its path.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows in front elevation film feeding devices involving this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same devices, different Iport-ions being broken away in different planes perpendicular to the line of sight. Fig. 3 is a view similar to 'F ig. 2, certain parts, however, being omitted. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the devices seen in Figs. l, 2, 3. Fig. 5 shows in perspective members seen assembled in Fig. 4.

In these figures, A represents ordinary plate members of the usual casing which supports the working parts of the apparatus, the transverse member being provided with an ordinary exposure opening across which the film B is fed while held against thel plate member by a common ,spring clamp C. In this instance, the film is fed and taken up by sprocket drum device D Without novelty, the arrangement being such that the ordinary slack or loop is formed above and below the exposure opening. In front of the opening is mounted a commonrotary shutter E, driven from the sprocket devices in the usual manner, and between the trans verse plate and the shutter is a long-bracket F having its central body portion parallel to the plate and at some distance therefrom and its offset ends v'igidly fixed to the plate. A rod G is 4mounted in suitable bearings in the bracket to slide longitudinally.

In the construct-ion illustrated.'t.he rod is bent to U-shape and the branch G parallel actly the same point, the spring to t-he main portion of the rod, is arranged to slide in a long bearing G2. To the lower end portion of the rod is fixed a block G3 which is connected to the shutter by a pitman H in order that the rotation of the shutter may reciprocate the rod. Upon the inner face of the body of the bracket is a sliding plate I from which a Stud I projects through a slot in the bracket and bears a friction spring I3 which tends to'hold the plate I in any posit-ion it may have uI on the bracket. The film is engaged and at vanced periodically by spurs J, here shown as the end portions of a rod bent to U-shape and mounted to rock in bearings I* in the plate I and having below a central offset J engaging in a groove in a block G* fixed to the rod G below its upper bearing. The two branches of the rod are preferably coiled to form strong springs J2 which allow the spurs to yield vertically.-

In Figs. 1, 2, 3, the rod G and block G4 are shown at approximately their highest point the spurs being retracted and outside the plane of the film. As the shutter moves from its corresponding position, the rod and block GA1 begin to descend, and since the plate I is frictionally held, the spur rod is rocked in its bearings I4 and suddenly moved into slots A2 in the frame plate, through the perforations in the film, and into slots C2 in the clamp C. This movement of the spurs is arrested when the body of the spur rod meet-s the plate A or by any suitable stop. In the further movement of the sliding rod, the friction resisting t-he movement of the plate I is overcome and this plate, the spur rod and the film are carried onward. `Slightly be- I fore the rod reaches its lowest limit of movement, the spurs vstrike the lower wall of their slot and are arrested, always at exspurs yielding Slightly while the sliding rod continues to its lowest point. It may be observed that the speed of the sliding rod is reduced almost to zero before the Spurs strike their stop, and that even the slight blow upon the stop is cushioned because the spurs yield. The plate'I being now at its lowest point, friction resists its return movement, and hence the first effectof the return movement of the block G4 is to rock the spur rod and withdraw the spurs from the film and slots, the retracting movement being arrested by the spurs are stops I5 upon the plate I, after which the plate and rod accompany the rodG and return to initial position.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a yielding reciprocating film feeding device, of a stop arranged to limit, positively, the film-advancing movement of said device.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a suitable film guide, of a film engaging device, means for reci rocating said device, a stop .positivel limitin the advance movements of lsaid evice, an means whereby force impart-ing reciprocating movement to said device causes it to engage the film before advancing 'and release the lm before retreating. Y 3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a reciprocating film engaging device adapted to yield when in its advance it meets strong resistance, a stop in and near the end of the path through which said device advances, and means for reciprocating said device.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination with means for guiding a per-- in presence of.two witnesses.

CHARLES FRANCIS JENKINS.

Witnses:

1A. J. Mamma,

HELEN G. Danni?. 

